When Brett Brown demanded a four-year contract to coach the Philadelphia 76ers, this was why.

The first-year coach told news reporters Monday he doubts No. 6 overall draft pick Nerlens Noel will play this season. Noel, whom the 76ers traded All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday for (along with a 2014 first-round pick) on draft night in June, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in February while playing for Kentucky and had surgery in March.

"I doubt, everybody doubts that he's going to play this year," Brown said before a preseason game at the Cleveland Cavaliers. "We don't want to waste this year. I think from a skill perspective, it's an opportunity for us to break down his shot, really work on his free throws and start a little bit from ground zero."

Noel still is raw offensively after averaging 10.5 points (along with 9.5 rebounds, 4.4 blocks and 2.1 steals) a game in his one college season. Noel could deepen his skill set and regain confidence in his knee with a season off, while the 76ers probably are headed for the top of the lottery in a stacked 2014 draft class either way.

Two other recent high draft picks sat out their entire rookie seasons because of injuries: No. 1 overall picks Greg Oden (2007) and Blake Griffin (2009). Oden has played 82 games over six seasons, while Griffin has become an perennial All-Star.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Nerlens Noel may be the No. 1 pick in Thursday's NBA draft, but for now he's still auditioning. USA TODAY Sports spent exclusive time with him as he explored New York in the days leading up to the draft.
Emile Wamsteker for USA TODAY Sports

Noel visited Ground Zero, the site of the 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attack, for an NBA Cares outing on Wednesday. All of the NBA lottery pick players visited the site.
Emile Wamsteker for USA TODAY Sports